Gaelic Football Betting with NetBet

Do you know much about Gaelic football? If you’ve never heard of it, then let us fill you in. Gaelic football is one of the most popular and recognisable games played in Ireland – and if you thought it was just how the Irish referred to ordinary soccer, you’re wrong. Distinct from soccer in many ways, Gaelic football is a major sport enjoyed by Irish people all over the globe!

Naturally, here at NetBet we have all sorts of great betting options when it comes to Gaelic football. Take a look at our excellent sports page and see what we have to offer! Browse our selection of Gaelic football odds and you’ll agree that NetBet is the best place to be when it comes to checking out Gaelic football!

All about Gaelic football

Historical records and evidence demonstrate that football (in some form or another) was played in Ireland since at least the 14th century. The Statute of Galway, written in 1527, stated that “foot balle” was an acceptable game to play outdoors – so we can assume that that game was an early form of soccer. The game was later banned during a wave of strict religious rulings in 1695, with a fine of one shilling for anyone found to be playing the game outdoors. Of course, being rebellious sorts deep down, the Irish continued to play and the game remained popular across the country; records that six-a-side football games were common in Dublin and the surrounding area in the early 18th century. The modern version of Gaelic football (as we now know it) is thought to have developed in the 19th century and has rapidly become extremely popular.

Gaelic football is – ostensibly – a men’s game. But a female variant does exist (rather unimaginatively known as Ladies’ Gaelic football). The game plays in a similar manner but there are a number of small rule differences that set the two sports apart. The Ladies’ Gaelic Football Association organises and regulates women’s Gaelic football in Ireland and is also responsible for choosing the players for the international Irish women’s football team.

What are the rules of Gaelic football and how is it played?

Gaelic football is played between two teams of 15 players, on a grass pitch. Games last for 60 minutes, divided into two halves. Half time lasts for between five and ten minutes, while any extra time is usually 20 minutes extra. The aim of the game is to score, which is achieved by getting the ball into the other team’s goal (which is worth 3 points and termed a goal) or between two upright posts over the goals (for 2 points, and not counted as a goal) or over the crossbar above the goal (for a single point, and not counted as a goal either). A goal is marked by the umpire raising a green flag, the ball can be kicked, bounced, carried, thrown, or soloed (which means to alternately drop and bounce the ball). Fouls include going more than five steps without releasing or bouncing the ball, throwing the ball from one hand to another while not actually releasing it, or throwing the ball directly into the goal – it can only be punched or kicked into the goal, but not directly thrown.

The ball used in Gaelic football is slightly smaller than a football and made from leather. The positions of the players in Gaelic football are very similar to those in soccer: a goalkeeper, six backs and six forwards, and two midfielders. Substitutes are allowed. A referee and two linesmen officiate the game.

Facts, statistics, and records

The longest Gaelic football marathon was 60 hours and 5 minutes and was achieved by Kilcornan Football Club (in two teams of seven) in Limerick from the 23rd to the 25th of May in 1986. This was done as part of an effort to raise money for the Kilcornan Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) – they eventually raised over £10,000 and the feat ended up making it into the Guinness Book of Records! The 14 men involved held a reunion event in 2016 and discussed their accomplishment, with player Johnny Dunne stating that “we had no special training [or] proper diet like inter-county players have now.” The referee Pat Lane reflected that the three-day event drew a massive crowd and that the only major rule set down by the Guinness Book was that the ball must be kept moving at all times.

Did you know this about Gaelic football?

The Mayo Gaelic football team supposedly suffers from a curse dating back from the 1950s. The story goes like this. In 1951 the team were travelling back to Mayo from a game which they had won. On the way, they overtook a funeral procession without stopping or paying their respects, upsetting the widow who was on the way to bury her husband. Furious, she then cursed the team so that they would never win an All-Ireland Final until every member who had wronged her was dead. Well, we’re not saying it’s true… but two members of the team are still alive today, and Mayo’s Gaelic football team have never yet won the Sam Maguire Cup since 1951. Judge for yourself…

While Gaelic football teams are organised all around the world in numerous countries, in 2013 players in Helsinki staged a game in Oulu, setting the record for the northernmost-played game of Gaelic football! For the uninitiated, Oulu is technically within the Arctic Circle! That’s one pretty chilly game, but we’re sure that they managed.

Get the best Gaelic football odds with NetBet!

If you’re feeling like Gaelic football is something you want to follow or get involved in, then why not take a look at NetBet’s fantastic sports page and check out all of the Gaelic football betting options we have to offer there? Players just love browsing our pages and betting on Gaelic football – it’s one of the most distinctive and interesting games out there! Come and join us and take a look at all of the upcoming games and events.